PETITION THIS FEST • CLICK HERE to be counted as an anonymous
"petition" – encouraging this event to "evolutionize" its
submission process.

A short film for the HPLFF should deal with the works of H.P. Lovecraft (or his contemporaries) and/or the concepts of supernatural Cosmic Horror or Weird Tales. This can be in any form: comedy, horror, spoof, story adaptation, etc.

An opener is a teaser or trailer or a very short short under 2 minutes. These films (if selected) are played before programming blocks. We especially like when our logo is used in some manner as part of the opener. You can request an EPS version of our logo anytime.

Screenplays should be a film, radio, or stage adaptation of a Weird Tale, a story by Lovecraft (or other similar author), or a tale of Cosmic Horror. The screenplay can be short or feature length.

MISSION & OBJECTIVE

Our purpose is simple: to promote the works of H.P. Lovecraft (as well as cosmic horror & weird tales) through cinematic adaptations by student, amateur, and professional filmmakers.

The fiction of H.P. Lovecraft, though still popular in print, has fared rather poorly when adapted to film by commercial filmmakers. Most of the problem stems from both a failure to capture the essence of Lovecraft's unique and meticulously developed atmosphere and an inability to remain faithful to the story without adding unnecessary Hollywood devices in order to sell the film.

We hope that through this festival, H.P. Lovecraft will be taken seriously as a writer and his work more faithfully adapted to film.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Submissions should either adapt the works of H.P. Lovecraft or an author that was part of his literary circle (Robert Bloch, Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton-Smith), his inspirations (Edgar Allan Poe, Lord Dunsany, Robert W. Chambers, Arthur Machen, M.R. James, etc.), or, in the case of original works, should involve the ideas of Cosmic Horror or the conventions of the Weird tale. This is a horror film festival, but the horror almost never comes from Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies, or serial killers. The horror does, however, often come from outer space or from beneath the sea or ice, where it was buried on Earth millions of years before the dawn of humankind. It also often comes from reading ancient books (like the Necronomicon), which open portals to other dimensions where horrible creatures lurk, and whose truths open up vistas of sanity-shattering horrors that exist beyond time and space.

All films submitted will be considered for both Portland and Los Angeles editions of the festival, based on submission date. For example, a submission received before the deadline for the Portland festival will be considered for both the Portland edition and the following Los Angeles edition, while a submission received after the deadline for Portland will be considered for the following Los Angeles edition of the festival, as well as the next year's Portland edition, and vice versa. In other words, your film will always be considered *once* for Portland and *once* for Los Angeles. This is an exceptional value, since you'll always have a chance at a screening at these two sister festivals. Each of the festivals considers submissions individually, so your film may be accepted by both, just one, or neither (in which case we're very sorry!).

SUBMISSION FORMATS
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We happily accept many formats for submission, including playable DVDs. However, we prefer media files like .MP4 or .MOV (either on DVD or USB stick) to physical media. You may also send us a link to a password protected YouTube or Vimeo video for judging; include the link in your WAB cover letter, or e-mail it to brian@hplfilmfestival.com. If sending a playable DVD, please package carefully to avoid scratches. If we can't play your DVD, we can't consider your film and may not have the time to contact you for a replacement. If sending DVDs, ALWAY include 2 copies.

When sending your submission, we recommend Including a final 720p or 1080p HD digital file suitable for exhibition (.MP4 or .MOV preferred, but other common formats okay, either on a data DVD or a thumbdrive). This is optional, but highly recommended. We will only use it for the purpose of screening it at our festival. If we accept your film, having a final exhibition copy in hand will save all of us a lot of time. In our lengthy experience, a lot of last-minute headaches come from trying to get the exhibition copy in the mail in time, or trying to download giant video files. If we have the file with your submission, and we accept your film, it greatly reduces the chance that we won't be able to exhibit your film due to last-minute issues.

ABOUT H.P. LOVECRAFT
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Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937), a master writer of horror and fantasy short stories, possessed that memorable and marvelous power to move his readers and to evoke a lingering mood of cosmic dread.

Lovecraft began writing magazine articles when he was sixteen. Poor health kept him from attending college and most of his relatively short life was centered in Providence, Rhode Island, where he was born.

Recognition as a writer came to Lovecraft only after his death, his most famous short story being "Call of Cthulhu" the foundation for the Cthulhu Mythos. During the 1920's and 1930's, he published in specialized periodicals such as Weird Tales and Amazing Stories or did ghost-writing for the now forgotten pulp magazine writers of his day.

Lovecraft cared little for fame or fortune and his adult life was spent in near poverty. He often said that his stories were written out of a deeply felt need. No other writer can match Lovecraft's unique vision of terror or the obsessive qualities of his frail heroes though he has influenced most modern horror authors. The best of his stories are able to tap true archetypes of horror that now echo in contemporary works, which may explain the ever-growing worldwide Lovecraft following.

Lovecraft's creations seem to bridge that vast gulf which separates the conscious mind from its dream-shrouded center; he links each of us with a mythological possibility that chills us to the bone.

Established in 1995 by Andrew Migliore, the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival is dedicated to promoting the works of H.P. Lovecraft and his vision of Cosmic Horror. It is our hope that through this festival Lovecraft will be taken seriously as a writer and his work more faithfully adapted to film.

GENERAL RULES

All submissions must be complete, with all of the items requested to be considered for submission. Notification of acceptance into the 2012 film festival will occur no later than April 25, for the May Portland Festival and August 1st for the LA Festival. If accepted, a screening print must arrive at the festival office not later than May 1 (for the Portland Festival) and August (15th for the LA Festival). Entry selection is made from DVD or electronic media. All submissions must be clearly labeled. All entries selected into HPLFF grant HPLFF the right to use any footage from the preview screener, and all submitted publicity photos and any other materials sent to us pertaining to this entry for HPLFF's promotional non-commercial purposes, without limitations.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I represent and warrant that I have full legal right and authority to submit the heretofore mentioned film/video project for consideration by HPLFF, and that all necessary consents, licensing and approvals have been obtained with respect thereto. I agree to hold HPLFF and its sponsors harmless in any and all matters pertaining to the consents, licenses, and approvals of heretofore film/video project. I understand that my submission is in no way a guarantee of acceptance into HPLFF. No one from HPLFF or its sponsors has guaranteed me admission into the festival. Should my film be accepted to HPLFF, I grant HPLFF the right to use any footage from the preview screener, and all submitted publicity photos and any other materials pertaining to this entry for HPLFF's promotional non-commercial purposes, without limitations. If I no longer wish HPLFF to use my material in promotion of the event, I will notify the Festival in writing.